Ethan: The Vampire At My School

A New Look

Ava's POV

My alarm went off so loudly beside me that I almost threw my phone across the room.

I groaned and reached for it, quickly turning it off.

Yeah, I set the alarm early today.

I wasn't about to be late for school again.

Wait... that reminds me.

Yesterday was my first day.

It actually wasn't that bad. I mean, I survived.

And the best part?

Steph and Riley were coming to pick me up.

Steph had already figured out that I wasn't exactly the best driver after our first encounter. I still hadn't forgotten the look on her face when she saw me trying to park.

I was about to get out of bed when I heard footsteps coming toward my room.

I quickly grabbed my diary and shoved it under my pillow.

I'd started writing in it last night.

"Ava, you up?"

"Yeah, Mom."

"That's my girl."

My mom walked into the room, already dressed for work. She had on a neat office outfit and looked like she was ready to deal with a whole day of work before I'd even brushed my teeth.

"This early?" I asked.

"Yeah. I have a client coming over at nine, and I can't afford to be late."

"Then go, Mom. Don't be late."

She laughed.

"Okay, bossy."

She walked toward the door, then turned around.

"Breakfast is ready for you in the dining room."

"Thanks, Mom. Love you."

"Love you too."

As soon as she left, I pulled my diary from under my pillow.

I opened it to a fresh page and wrote:

I'll be back. And today, I'm visiting the Mystic Art Room.

I stared at what I'd written.

Then I gave a little evil laugh.

I froze.

"Wait..."

I looked around my room.

"Did I just do an evil laugh?"

I shook my head.

"Yeah. I definitely did."

I jumped out of bed and rushed toward the bathroom.

A while later, I was finally dressed and waiting downstairs when the doorbell rang.

I hurried over and opened it.

"Sup, girls?"

Steph and Riley stood outside.

Riley looked at me.

Then she just stared.

I looked down at myself.

"What?"

She continued staring.

"Riley?"

Steph looked at me too.

"What's that look about?"

"Umm..."

She looked at Steph.

Steph looked at Riley.

Then both of them looked at me again.

"What?" I asked.

"Ava..." Riley finally said. "It's your outfit."

I looked down at it again.

"What about it?"

"It's just..." She struggled to find the words. "It's not really standing out."

"Standing out?" I repeated, pretending to be offended.

"Yeah."

Before she could explain herself, Steph suddenly smiled.

"Perfect."

I frowned.

"What's perfect?"

"You're coming upstairs."

"Why?"

"Because we're fixing this."

"Guys, we're going to be late."

"It's basically too early," Riley said, already walking inside.

"Come on."

I followed them upstairs, completely confused.

The second we entered my room, Steph went straight for my closet.

"Let's see what you've got."

I stood by the door.

"Don't judge me."

She pulled out a few clothes and looked through them.

"Okay... you actually have some cute stuff."

"Thank you."

"Which makes me wonder why you chose this."

I rolled my eyes.

"Because I like it."

"Nope," she said. "You're not going to school with us looking like you're trying to disappear."

"I wasn't trying to disappear."

Riley laughed.

Steph pulled out a black shirt, a pair of fitted black trousers and black boots.

"Try these."

I stared at them.

"No."

"Why?"

"I'm not wearing that."

"Fine."

She threw them back onto the bed.

"Riley?"

Riley immediately started looking through my clothes.

"Okay, what about this?"

She pulled out a dark green oversized hoodie and a pair of light-wash shorts.

I looked at them.

"Okay... this is actually nice."

"See?"

I quickly changed and came back out.

Riley nodded.

"Much better."

I grabbed a pair of boots and slipped them on before looking at myself in the mirror.

I actually liked it.

"Okay," I admitted. "This isn't bad."

Steph smiled.

"Not bad? Girl, you're getting it."

I laughed.

"Okay, okay."

I headed downstairs and waited for them.

A few seconds later, I heard footsteps coming down the stairs.

I turned around dramatically.

"Ta-da!"

Steph gasped.

"Oh my gosh."

Riley laughed.

"Okay, Ava. I see you."

I smiled.

"What do you think?"

"You've been dressing like a nerd this whole time?" Steph asked, pretending to be shocked.

I gave her a look.

"Wow."

She immediately laughed.

"No offense."

Riley coughed dramatically.

"She means absolutely no offense."

"I'll ignore that."

I was about to grab my bag when Riley suddenly stopped me.

"One more thing."

"What?"

She walked toward me and reached for my hair.

"Your hair."

"What about it?"

She loosened my ponytail and let my medium-length curls fall around my shoulders.

Then she stepped back.

"Now this is perfect."

Steph immediately pulled out her phone.

"Wait, don't move."

"Why?"

"Picture."

"Steph!"

She took it anyway.

I looked at the picture when she showed me.

I stared at myself for a second.

"Wow."

I actually looked different.

Not like a completely different person.

Just... like I had finally decided to stop hiding.

"See?" Riley said. "You're more than good."

I laughed.

"Stop."

"I won't."

"Riley!"

We all laughed as we grabbed our things and headed outside.

For once, I didn't feel like the quiet new girl trying to blend into the background.

Maybe I was finally starting to fit in.